Apps (prices listed are for individual apps via the App Store - purchasing through the VPP will result in a different cost (lower per app), but must be purchased in packs of 20).
Moved app recommendations to the top of the page. Moved the rest of the content of the page to the space below the app recommendations.
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Suggestions and prices edited 3-14-12
I put my "meh" ones down at the bottom of the list and the best ones at the top, but it's hard to rate them because it's like comparing apples to oranges.
Keynote - 9.99 - presentation creator from Apple which some people compare to PowerPoint
Toontastic - free - but all current and future character sets are a 9.99 in-app purchase - even if we can't afford the character sets, we should install the program. kids can draw their own stuff. NOT optimal, but at least it's a writing/production/editing/presentation app - cartoon maker
Draw & Tell HD - 1.99 - drawing/storytelling app. the record feature is excellent.
Magnetic ABC - 1.99 - we use this to do "making words" during guided reading. really one of my fave apps.
Blackboard for iPad - .99 - we use this daily to write words, math problems, etc.
Motion Math Zoom - free, but in-app purchase of all levels is 5.99 - we LOVE this number-line game. number lines are a large part of our math program.
Motion Math Hungry Fish - free, but in-app purchase of all levels is 6.99 or 8.99 (can't really tell which, but this goes from kdg to negative numbers). one of the most clever math practice apps we've tried.
Grow Your Garden HD (math) - 1.99 - brilliant way to get a child to understand the theory behind addition and subtraction - another class favorite.
Rocket Math HD - .99 - by far the favorite game of all my higher level math kids. basically it's practice problems with a game and rewards.
Math Bingo - .99 - game to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
JANES Chalkboard Games HD - 1.99 - simple games (tic-tac-toe, connect 4, boxes and hangman). hangman is the only real learning related game, but it's a good version.
*
NEW - 2-27-11 - reasons why it is VITAL to JUMP on FREE apps ASAP. Of course, this is only valid IF IF IF IF IF the app is of any value whatsoever. MANY free apps are not worth a hill of beans. Jumping on free apps would be best when the app is not just a free version, but a paid app that is temporarily free or much-reduced.**
BIG app google doc (SEE how important googledocs is????). The apps in white are free.
One of the things we need to remember is that SOME websites and web applications will NOT work on the iPads. This is NOT a bad thing. But we need to be careful to spend any tech money wisely. Why would we purchase licenses for sites that require Flash (examples: Greg Tang's site) when Flash does not run on the iPads? Better to focus what little budget we have on applications for the iPads or for site licenses for products that will run on all platforms - classroom and lab computers, home computers, netbooks and iPads. We need to make a list of what licenses we have and review each one for compatibility issues.
firstinmath.com will not run on the iPads. It is a completely flash-based game system. Teachers can do maintenance (view/change logins, review results, etc.), but none of the games will run.
Apps (prices listed are for individual apps via the App Store - purchasing through the VPP will result in a different cost (lower per app), but must be purchased in packs of 20).
Moved app recommendations to the top of the page. Moved the rest of the content of the page to the space below the app recommendations.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Suggestions and prices edited 3-14-12
I put my "meh" ones down at the bottom of the list and the best ones at the top, but it's hard to rate them because it's like comparing apples to oranges.
iMovie 4.99 - movie production app from Apple
Keynote - 9.99 - presentation creator from Apple which some people compare to PowerPoint
Toontastic - free - but all current and future character sets are a 9.99 in-app purchase - even if we can't afford the character sets, we should install the program. kids can draw their own stuff. NOT optimal, but at least it's a writing/production/editing/presentation app - cartoon maker
Draw & Tell HD - 1.99 - drawing/storytelling app. the record feature is excellent.
Magnetic ABC - 1.99 - we use this to do "making words" during guided reading. really one of my fave apps.
Blackboard for iPad - .99 - we use this daily to write words, math problems, etc.
Simplex Spelling HD Sight Words - 4.99 - no explanation needed. the title is pretty clear. well-done, robust app.
Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 - 4.99 - see the prior explanation.
Tick Bait's Universe - 4.99 - science app which lets users zoom in and out to various levels of the universe
Popplet - 4.99 - brainstorming app - AMAZING!!
Phonics Genius - free
Motion Math Zoom - free, but in-app purchase of all levels is 5.99 - we LOVE this number-line game. number lines are a large part of our math program.
Motion Math Hungry Fish - free, but in-app purchase of all levels is 6.99 or 8.99 (can't really tell which, but this goes from kdg to negative numbers). one of the most clever math practice apps we've tried.
Grow Your Garden HD (math) - 1.99 - brilliant way to get a child to understand the theory behind addition and subtraction - another class favorite.
Rocket Math HD - .99 - by far the favorite game of all my higher level math kids. basically it's practice problems with a game and rewards.
Word Wizard - 2.99 - spelling practice
Math Bingo - .99 - game to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
JANES Chalkboard Games HD - 1.99 - simple games (tic-tac-toe, connect 4, boxes and hangman). hangman is the only real learning related game, but it's a good version.
*
NEW - 2-27-11 - reasons why it is VITAL to JUMP on FREE apps ASAP. Of course, this is only valid IF IF IF IF IF the app is of any value whatsoever. MANY free apps are not worth a hill of beans. Jumping on free apps would be best when the app is not just a free version, but a paid app that is temporarily free or much-reduced.**
BIG app google doc (SEE how important googledocs is????). The apps in white are free.
One of the things we need to remember is that SOME websites and web applications will NOT work on the iPads. This is NOT a bad thing. But we need to be careful to spend any tech money wisely. Why would we purchase licenses for sites that require Flash (examples: Greg Tang's site) when Flash does not run on the iPads? Better to focus what little budget we have on applications for the iPads or for site licenses for products that will run on all platforms - classroom and lab computers, home computers, netbooks and iPads. We need to make a list of what licenses we have and review each one for compatibility issues.
firstinmath.com will not run on the iPads. It is a completely flash-based game system. Teachers can do maintenance (view/change logins, review results, etc.), but none of the games will run.
Consider these apps (more research needed)...
MathBoard 4.99
Kathy Shrock - iPad apps that support Bloom's Taxonomy
Ummmm... wow...
APPitic
another WOW!!! great blog by a 1:1 kinder teacher.
App reviews and suggestions.
Best apps for exceptional kids.
Apple's suggestions.